Caribbean News: Five on Friday July 29, 2022

Bonaire designated as a culinary capital

The Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire has received the Culinary Capitals Certification. A piece of wonderful news for promoting and boosting the island’s tourism industry, this certification is an award offered by the World Food Travel Association. This non-profit organization is the world's leading authority on food and beverage tourism. It assesses, certifies, and promotes new destinations that showcase unique gastronomy and culinary to visitors. Before awarding the Culinary Capitals, the association evaluates destinations based on five culinary criteria: culture, strategy, promotion, community, and sustainability. Culinary Capitals is a culinary destination certification and development program. It aims to give food lovers confidence to travel to new and unexpected food and beverage destinations. Therefore, with this award, Bonaire tells the rest of the world the small island is a paradise for food lovers besides being a diver’s bliss. Indeed, Bonaire is recognized as the world’s first blue destination, offering luxury, culture, and adventure. The island is an extraordinary beach escape thanks to its pristine ocean, abundant nature, and rich heritage. The destination will make the happiness foodies and divers.

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A new way to fly from Los Angeles to Grand Cayman

Photo: Seatguru.com

A new boost for Cayman’s tourism reopening, Cayman Airways is launching nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Grand Cayman. Starting from November 5, this major nonstop route will connect California and Cayman in less than six hours. Los Angeles becomes the fifth U.S. city from which Cayman Airways provides service. The city list of existing flights includes Miami, New York, Tampa, and Denver. This is a piece of excellent news for boosting the island’s tourism industry. In fact, the California market is one of the strongest feeder markets for the Caribbean, particularly in the luxury sector. And unsurprisingly Cayman has a quite strong luxury market. The island offers several luxury villas and five-star hotels. To name a few, there are the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spas.

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Trini fashion designer brings Caribbean Ethos to Clarks footwear brand

Photo: Loop.com

The Trinidad-born Joshua Joseph and the American designer Ronnie Fieg of the Classic shoemaker Clarks Originals have partnered to design an exclusive shoe for Clarks Originals. Joseph of the New York-based fashion brand Rebels to Dons is the first Caribbean designer to create his own Clark’s silhouette. According to Joseph, this collaboration marks an opportunity to give ownership to Caribbean people as Clarks Shoes have remained the preferred footwear brand on the island for decades. Besides, the brand has released many Caribbean-inspired collections over the years. But, none of its collections have been designed by people with direct roots in the Caribbean. For designing the shoes, Joseph took inspiration from the late 1970s and 80s when a new wave of Caribbean immigrants imported their Clarks to New York street style. So, the designer reimagined Fieg’s Clarks maycliffe into a mule. This inspiration is to connect the city and the islands through style. Made of natural tan nubuck leather, the new shoes incorporate details for day-to-night style. You can wear the shoes for casual daily style and shift them for night one when needed. The shoes come with two removable fringe straps, one in a matching tan nubuck, and the other nubuck brun. Labeled the Rebels to Dons x Clarks maycliffe mule, the shoes have been released in a limited edition run. They will be sold exclusively online via the Rebels to Dons website.

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Nevis announces annual “Culturama” festival

Photo: https://www.stkittstourism.kn/events/nevis-culturama-festival

The Caribbean island of Nevis has announced that its annual festival, “Culturama,” will be held from July 21 through August 7, 2022. Culturama is a festival that began in 1974. It was created to celebrate Nevisian heritage and indigenous customs. This year, the festival will have a special significance as it coincides with the observance of the 1838 emancipation of African slaves throughout the British Empire in the Caribbean, and Nevisians are primarily of African descent. According to Nevis Tourism Authority, Culturama is the perfect event to celebrate all the colorful traditions that make Nevis so unique. During the festival, all the events are free to attend. Several activities will be held including sporting events, concerts, poetry readings, theatrical performances, pageants, parades, and “limes”, or parties, featuring local cuisine and cocktails. In addition, the Mr. Kool contest will take place. It will provide the best opportunity for young men of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to showcase their modeling skills and become ambassadors for Nevis. It will be a great opportunity to achieve personal goals and gain exposure.

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Dominica was named best Caribbean island by Travel + Leisure Magazine

Dominica is awarded the best Caribbean island Travel + Leisure Magazine through the World’s Best Awards survey. With a score of 91, Dominica topped St Vincent and the Grenadines and Anguilla ranking respectively number two and three. The destination has received the award thanks to the different adventure types offered. The island is recognized for snorkeling and hiking. Moreover, the island offers luxury adventure. For instance, the year’s best resort hotel in the Caribbean Secret Bay is located in Dominica. The resort hotel offers tree-house-style villas tucked within the rain forest, jaw-dropping nature views, and private plunge pools. St Vincent and the Grenadines received a score of 89.79 thanks to its fantastic water excursions. As for Antigua, the island scored 89.43, rated for its unspoiled beaches and clear turquoise waters.

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